German Shepherd
Also known as Alsatian
- Height at the withers
- 55 to 65 cm
- Weight
- 22 to 40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 9 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- Germany
- FCI group
- 1 · Sheepdogs and cattle dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- allergy sufferers: it sheds a lot
Overview
A large, athletic working dog with erect ears, a noble expression and a confident bearing. Known for its great intelligence, loyalty, courage and versatility in herding and working roles.
History and origins
Developed in 1899 by Captain Max von Stephanitz to create the ideal herding dog, standardized from local herding dogs. Its intelligence and ease of training led to its use by police and armed forces worldwide.
Health
Life expectancy is 9 to 13 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
- Perianal fistulas
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length double coat. Very heavy shedding, average coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very easy, 5 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Very heavy, 5 out of 5
- Drooling
- Rarely, 2 out of 5
- Barking
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Rather fragile, 2 out of 5
In our lists
German Shepherd FAQ
How big does the German Shepherd get?
The German Shepherd stands 55 to 65 cm at the withers and weighs 22 to 40 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the German Shepherd shed a lot?
It sheds very heavily and its coat needs average care. Plan on brushing several times a week, and more during the spring and fall shedding seasons.
Can the German Shepherd live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the German Shepherd need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the German Shepherd good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the German Shepherd live?
Life expectancy is 9 to 13 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy.
